The rationale behind the sunburst wheels was just as described - they were intended as a cost-saving measure, allowing Shelby American to produce their own wheel instead of having to buy them from Halibrand. Peter Brock designed them, and Kelsey-Hayes was selected to build them. They didn't arrive until December of '65, and cars sold during that time period were the first to have them as standard equipment. The determining factor was not the chassis number of the car, but rather the shipping date to the dealer.

Here's a publicity photo of a new early 31XX car fitted with sunbursts and wearing the dealer plate. I don't think many people think sunbursts are better, just some like the style and most just want them on their car if delivered that way. Halibrands are clearly the more exotic wheel, being lighter and having more of a sports car heritage as many of the top racing series ran similar wheels. While I think if a car has survived this many years in the configuration it left SA it should be preserved that way, many Cobras today are being converted to boring "day one" clones that do not represent the aura of the cars back in the day where most owners fitted them with optional original factory upgrade parts.

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